DAVAO CITY — A customer has filed a formal complaint against a restaurant along Chavez Street after allegedly discovering maggots in the lechon he had almost finished eating on Thursday morning, December 26.
According to the complainant, he only noticed the presence of maggots when the meal was nearly consumed, leaving him shocked, disgusted, and deeply concerned about his health. He also claimed to have experienced stomach pain afterward, raising fears of possible food-borne illness.
The restaurant owner reportedly apologized, but the customer insisted that accountability must be enforced to prevent similar incidents from happening to others.
Following the report, personnel from the City Veterinary Office and the City Health Office immediately inspected the establishment and confiscated the remaining lechon believed to be spoiled or contaminated. Authorities are currently conducting a thorough investigation into the incident.
The Department of Health (DOH) and local health authorities once again reminded all food business operators to strictly adhere to proper food handling, preparation, and storage standards—especially during the Christmas and New Year celebrations when food demand spikes and leftovers are common.
“This should serve as a warning to ensure all served food is safe for consumption. Food contamination can lead to serious illnesses,” health officials emphasized.
Authorities also advised the public to remain vigilant when dining out or preparing food at home. Improperly stored food can quickly spoil and harbor bacteria or pests such as maggots, potentially causing severe food poisoning.
With the holiday rush and festivities ongoing, officials strongly urge everyone to practice food safety—check the quality of meals before eating, ensure proper refrigeration of leftovers, and immediately report any suspicious or unsafe food to the nearest health office.
Public safety, they stressed, must never be compromised for any celebration.